Winxp pro crash --- dreaded file is missing or corrupt error! 2

[Ericas]

Just like to say hello to everyone as this is my first post. ;-) Turned on the pc yesterday and got the error message:

"\windows\system32\config\system
windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt..... You can attempt to repair this file bystarting windows setup using cd-rom select R at first screen....."

So I went through all the steps for replacing these files from a tmp folder. I used the steps from this website

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658-1

All these steps went fine and I was able to log in again. I was a happy for a short period. So on page 4 of the listed above website I did this last steps:

Part 3
In part three, you delete the existing registry files, and then copy the System Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder:

From within Recovery Console, type the following commands:


Del c:\windows\system32\config\sam



Del c:\windows\system32\config\security



Del c:\windows\system32\config\software



Del c:\windows\system32\config\default



Del c:\windows\system32\config\system


When I got to this step the files could not be found!!!!! And I tried to start over but to no avail because of the above deleted files!!!

copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software

Is there anyway I can start over and replace the deleted files from another of my winxppro pc's? It looks like it is time to format.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[bcastner]

Tell us what happened when you did Part 2 on Page 3.

 

[Ericas]

Thanks for the quick reply bcastner I followed every step to a "T" on that step and it worked fine. So I am curious why the steps on page 4 failed to locate files.

Thanks

 

[linney]

What files are in c:\windows\tmp as seen by the DIR command when you navigate there with Recovery Console? Does the c:\windows\tmp exist?

You could try the whole routine again but instead of using the Recovery Console to work in you could use BartPE (a mini XP self contained on a bootable CD and run from CD) with a more familiar Explorer type view so you can easier see what you are doing.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

The same might be possible with a parallel install of XP.

266465 - HOW TO: Perform a Parallel Installation of Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;266465&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

You can do the same with XP. Don't install any unnecessary programs, keep the parallel installation as simple as possible.

Or the paragraph in this article.

"To install Windows XP to a new folder (to perform a parallel installation):"

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

If it all gets too much there is always repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates (no problem if you substitute them with SP2) but your files and programs will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Ericas]

Wow Linney you have given me some hope!
Looks like I have some work to do! I will let you know how it went!

 

[Ericas]

linney (TechnicalUser) 16 Mar 05 14:50
What files are in c:\windows\tmp as seen by the DIR command when you navigate there with Recovery Console? Does the c:\windows\tmp exist?


Yes it has:
default.bak
sam.bak
security.bak
software.bak
system.bak

 

[lspook2]

the other thing you could try from the recovery console is type in chkdsk /r
this does a repair of windows and works most of the time. i've found over time that if service pack 1 is not installed this happens.

 

[bcastner]

Somehow this step on the bottom of page 3 is not done:

From the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to the C:\Windows\Tmp folder (you can use your mouse, you're in Windows now, remember?):
_registry_user_.default
_registry_machine_security
_registry_machine_software
_registry_machine_system
_registry_machine_sam

 

[bcastner]

Member Gpalmer711 outlines how to use the Bart PE CD to do this same registry replacement: faq779-5362

 

[Ericas]

Thanks guys!!!! Had trouble using Bart PE CD thanks bcastner for the outline link. Thanks linney and ISpook for the info.

I loaded from boot disks and then installed from the winxp cd. I followed this info:

"To install Windows XP to a new folder (to perform a parallel installation):"

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...A=1&SD=HSCH

It worked like a charm. I just installed a new XP OS to a different folder than the windows folder and all my movies and files were saved. Took about 20 minutes. Now I can back up everything to DVD's and do a clean install.

Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!Always back-up your important files!!!!!!!!!!!

I almost lost 6 months worth of info and movies. Phe

http://wwwwwwww!

I needed to do a fresh install anyway I guess so now I can after I do all my backups.

 

[linney]

With your luck, backup your backups. Remember to check that you can actually restore from them before you format the originals.

And welcome to the forum.